Parramatta Eels five-eight Dylan Brown says he has “decided to take an opportunity”, following reports he is on the verge of signing with Newcastle.
News Corp reported on Monday that Brown, 24, had agreed to sign a 10-year, $13 million deal to join the Knights from next season.
ABC Sport is live blogging every round of the AFL and NRL seasons in 2025.
Following that report, Brown took to social media, hinting that he would leave the Eels at the end of this season.
“Hello everyone, I have decided to take an opportunity that is best for me and my family,” he posted on Instagram.
“To the Blue and Gold family … nothing changes. I’m locked in for this year and we have a job to do.”
Brown is expected to play for the Eels against Wests Tigers on Sunday at Western Sydney Stadium.
The reported deal is not official, but would eclipse a 10-year, $12 million contract signed by Gold Coast forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in 2023.
The Knights and an unidentified Sydney club had been jostling for Brown’s services but AAP has been told Newcastle are confident of a deal being done.
Once an offer is accepted by Brown and manager Chris Orr, NRL rules state the Eels have a 10-day cooling-off period to convince the 24-year-old to stay put.
The Eels declined to comment when contacted by AAP on Monday night.
The New Zealander, who has represented the Kiwis in eight Test matches, has played 124 matches for the Eels since making his debut in 2019.
Brown played in all 24 games for Parramatta last season, when the side slumped to a lowly 15th.
He was also the starting five-eighth for the Eels’s horror start to 2025, beaten by the Stom in Melbourne 56-18.
ABC/AAP
